Egypt Guide
The Red Sea Coast and Eastern Desert
Mersa Alam
The town of MERSA ALAM itself is undistinguished, consisting of a large army base, some government buildings and new apartment blocks constructed for the expected influx of hotel staff to the area, grafted onto a fishing port where liveaboards now moor. Opposite is a coffee shop patronized by local divers. The bus station is on the edge of town, 800m west of the traffic circle, with daily buses to Hurghada (5am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm & 5pm; 5hr; £E30) via El-Quseir (2hr; £E10) and irregular buses and service taxis to Shalateen (4hr; £E20). There is also regular transport to Edfu and Aswan in the Nile Valley, but foreigners aren't allowed to travel the road through the mountains independently. Travellers heading for the tomb of Sheikh el-Shazli risk being turned back, too – Red Sea Desert Adventures is the best source of information on this route. The only bank, with an ATM, is 25km away at the Kahramana Hotel.